Page:Indian Medicinal Plants (Text Part 2).djvu/522
Use :-— It is said to be used medicinally. Further information is required.
1256. I. nepalensis, Don. h.f.b.i., vi., 273.
Vern. : — Chalnumdar, sosan, shoti, chiluchi (Pb. and U. P. Himalayan names.)
Habitat :— Western and Eastern Himalaya.
Root-stock stout, prostrate and creeping, with densely fibrous sheaths and copious, fleshy, finger-like roots. Stem ½-lft. Leaves linear, 6in. long at flowering time, elongating to 24 by ¼in., streaked with purple lines and dots. Spathes 1-3-fid, 1½-2in. long, outer valves thin, green, persistent ; pedicels very short. Perianth-tube slender, 1½in., limb 1-1½in., pale lilac; blade of sepals oblong, half an inch broad, as long as the claw ; crests narrow, yellow. Petal oblong, ⅓in. broad. Style arms lin. and less ; crests large-toothed. Capsule oblong, 3-gonous, with broad, flat sides and a long slender beak, l-l½in., enclosed in the persistent spathes (J. D. Hooker.)
Uses : — The root is described as having properties similar to costus, and appears to have been regarded by both Hindus and Arabs as a kind of costus. * * * Iris root is considered by Mahometan hakims to be deobstruent, aperient, diuretic, especially useful in removing bilious obstructions. It is also used externally as an application to small sores and pimples. From the large number of diseases in which this drug is recommended, it would appear to be regarded as a panacea. (Pharmacogr. Ind. III. 452.)
1257. I. kumaonensis, Wall., h.f.b.i., vi. 274.
Vern. :— Piáz, karkar, tezma (Pb.).
Habitat: — Temperate and Alpine N.-W. Himalaya.
A dwarf species. Root-stock stout, prostrate and creeping. Stems 2-12in., crowded ; outer basal sheaths fibrous. Leaves linear, 12-14 by ⅓in. Spathes 2-3in., 1-fid ; valves lanceolate, ventricose. Pedicels very short. Flower-heads solitary. Perianth-tube 2-2⅓n. long, limb 1½-2in., bright lilac. Blade of sepals ¾in. broad, spreading, cuneate, obovate, as long as the